The minister of woks and housing, Babatunde Fashola has dismissed the often-qouted 17 million housing deficit statistics on Nigeria as baseless and with no verifiable foundation.

Fashola, in an announcement issued by the particular adviser on communication, Hakeem Bello, harassed the significance of dependable information. He added that it’s going to help efficient planning and choice making by these with the requisite abilities and capability to offer measurable outcomes.

In line with the minister, there was a fixation and a binge on a supposed 17 million housing deficit, with no verifiable foundation.

He stated, “in my tenure of workplace as Lagos State Governor, between 2012-2015 we delivered 200 models of homes to members of the general public each month, over a three-year interval.

“On the similar time different Governors launched and efficiently executed housing tasks throughout most of our 36 states, and so did members of the personal sector.

“Regrettably, it appeared that no person was able to take account of the supply of even 1 (ONE) unit of housing.

“The purpose I’m making right here, which must be repeated is that by logical and accountable use of information, if there was a necessity of 17 million and 1 unit was offered, one would count on that the necessity would scale back by 1 (ONE).

“Sadly, that was not the case. In a seeming desperation to race to the underside, binge on the deficit and maybe unleash a nuclear warfare on housing, the deficit grew to 19 million, later to 22 million and only a few days in the past to twenty-eight million in response to announcers who can’t level to a supply.”

He famous the affect of fast urbanization, as individuals more and more transfer in direction of cities, including that extra individuals have moved to the cities within the final 50 years than at any time earlier than in human existence.

The minister submitted that the housing deficit in Nigeria and most elements of the continent and the world is extra pronounced in city centres than in rural areas.

Learn additionally: Mass housing: We’ve fulfilled our promise – Buhari

He stated: “Whereas awaiting dependable census information, my strategy has been to focus on housing provide and development actions within the city centres of our states, whilst I’m aware of the existence of empty homes in the identical city centres.

“I do know that a lot of these struggling for lodging within the cities have left one type of shelter unused or beneath utilized in our rural areas.

“I additionally know that housing provision should look significantly on the rental facet, whereas making an attempt to extend possession.

“I do know that much more must be performed to release any obstacles that forestall individuals from renting or buying many empty homes that we see in our city centres.”